JP2003315904A - Optical equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent functions from being hindered to improve operability and portability by attaching an auxiliary grip to optical equipment. <P>SOLUTION: An operation button 26 is arranged in one side part of a small- sized vertical optical equipment main body 10, and an auxiliary grip 14 is attached so that a grip member 18 is arranged in a state smoothly connecting to the side part having the operation button 26 arranged in the optical equipment main body 10, so that a user can fixedly hold the small-sized vertical optical equipment main body 10 with the grip member 18 of the auxiliary grip 14 in his or her one hand and can operate the operation button 26 of the optical equipment main body 10 by fingers of this hand, and the optical equipment main body 10 is prevented from being shaken by the operation of the operation button to bring about trouble, and thus the convenience for use of the optical equipment is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical device, such as a camera, which is suitable for use in a state where an auxiliary grip is attached and which can be held in a hand and operated.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a so-called electronic camera (digital camera) or a so-called silver salt camera (film camera) is widely used as an optical device which can be held in a hand and operated.

In such a single-lens reflex electronic camera, which is an optical device that can be held in a hand and operated, the weight of the camera body may become heavy due to the computerization of the camera body. Along with this, when a relatively large autofocus lens device, zoom lens device, or telephoto lens device is detachably attached to the camera body for use, the weight of the camera becomes heavier and the center of gravity is further closer to the lens side. It may be unstable and heavier.

[0004] Therefore, in the past, the No. 3009816
As proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Gazette, an L-shaped gravitation grip is attached to the lower part of the lens by utilizing a JIS standard tripod screw hole in the camera.

Then, the user carries the camera by holding the gravitation grip when carrying the camera and holding the vicinity of the center of gravity of the heavy camera in such a posture as to lower the bag. Also, the user holds the gravitation grip in a posture such as holding a microphone with the left hand during photography of the camera and holds the vicinity of the center of gravity of the heavy camera to prevent camera shake.

[0006]

In recent years, electronic cameras, which are optical devices that can be held and operated by hand, are of a vertical type to be compact and lightweight, and a strobe device or the like is installed in the camera body to provide a multifunctional function. However, the development of such products is urgent.

In such a small vertical type camera, when the release button (so-called shutter) is arranged on the top surface of the small vertical type camera body, the camera is supported by hand so that the release button can be easily operated. At this time, it is easy for the finger other than the one released to the release button to hit the light emitting surface of the strobe device arranged in the camera body, for example.

When the strobe device is made to emit light in a state in which the finger is placed on the light emitting surface of the strobe device and is shielded from light,
There is a problem in that the amount of strobe light that hits the subject is insufficient and it becomes impossible to shoot under appropriate exposure conditions.

Further, in order to prevent some fingers from touching the light emitting surface of the strobe device when the camera is supported by hand while the release button can be easily operated, the release button is arranged on the side surface of the camera body. Then, when the release button is pressed, so-called camera shake is caused by the force that acts laterally with respect to the optical axis of the camera lens (a phenomenon when the camera moves when the shutter is operating and the image is not clearly captured). There is a problem that it is easy to cause.

Therefore, in the case of a small vertical type camera, if the conventional gravitation grip as described above is mounted and used as it is, the conventional gravitation grip uses a camera which is an optical device having a relatively heavy weight. Since it is configured to be easily held by a person, it is rather inconvenient to carry it, or the gravitation grip is used to support the camera, and the user may press the release button of the camera with one hand. Is difficult and the operability is poor. As described above, the conventional gravitation grip has a problem that it is unsuitable for being mounted as it is on an optical device such as a small vertical camera which is small and lightweight and can be held and operated by hand.

In view of the above facts, the present invention is to provide an optical device which can prevent the function of the optical device from being hindered by using the auxiliary grip and improve the operability and the portability. To aim.

[0012]

The optical device of the present invention comprises, firstly, a small vertical type optical device body having operation buttons arranged on one side and an operation button in the small vertical type optical device body. It is characterized by a combination with an auxiliary grip attached to the main body of the optical device so that the grip member is arranged in a state where the grip member is smoothly connected from the arranged side portion.

With the above configuration, when the auxiliary grip is attached to the small vertical type optical device main body, the gripping member of the auxiliary grip is held by one hand and the small vertical type optical device main body shakes. It can be securely held so that it does not move. Therefore, even a small vertical type optical device can properly exhibit its function.

Further, while the grip member of the auxiliary grip is gripped with one hand, the fingers of the gripping hand can be used to operate the operation buttons arranged on one side of the small vertical optical device body. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience caused by the operation of the operation button installed in the small vertical optical device body from shaking the optical device body, and to improve the usability of the optical device.

Further, even if the small vertical type optical device main body is a small vertical type, since the small vertical type optical device main body can be held by holding the grip member, the small vertical type optical device main body can be held by the operation of holding the optical device main body. It is possible to prevent the function of the lens disposed in the optical device body or the device having an optical function from being impaired.

Secondly, in the optical apparatus according to the first aspect, the small vertical optical apparatus main body is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape having a length of 80 mm or less.

With the above configuration, in addition to the function and effect of the optical device according to the first aspect, when the small vertical type optical device body is empirically ruled by hand when it is handled by hand. Even if the size is less than the size of the index that is difficult to handle, the usability can be improved.

Thirdly, in the optical device according to claim 1 or 2, the operation button is provided on a side portion of the main body of the small vertical type optical device at a position operable by a finger of a hand holding the grip member. It is characterized by being arranged.

With the above configuration, in addition to the function and effect of the optical device according to the first or second aspect, it is possible to operate the operation button with the finger of the hand holding the grip member. Therefore, the operation of the operation button is facilitated, and it is possible to prevent the small vertical optical device body from moving when the operation button is operated and causing a functional failure.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the optical apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The optical device according to the present embodiment is configured as a small vertical camera as shown in FIGS.

This small vertical type camera body 10 has a vertically long rectangular shape with a height (height) of 80 mm or less, which is considered to be less than the size of an index that is difficult to handle by hand when handling the camera device body by experience. Form. This small vertical camera body 10
Is provided with a JIS-standard tripod screw hole 12 at the center of the bottom. The small vertical camera body 10 is fixed to the tripod 15 by screwing a male screw 17 installed on the base of the tripod 15 into the tripod screw hole 12 of the tripod 15 so that a photographing operation can be performed.

At the same time, the auxiliary grip 14 is attached to the small vertical camera body 10 by utilizing the tripod screw hole 12. The auxiliary grip 14 is configured as an integral member (attachment) in which an upper end of a grip member 18 is axially attached to one end of a support plate 16 fixed to the bottom of the small vertical camera body 10.

The support plate 16 of the auxiliary grip 14 is formed in a rectangular plate shape adapted to the bottom of the small vertical camera body 10, and has a male screw which can be screwed into the tripod screw hole 12 at the center thereof. A certain mounting screw 20 is mounted so as to be rotatable and not to fall out.

Further, the support plate 16 is provided with a hinge portion 22 at one end thereof. The hinge portion 22 has a shaft pin 2
The upper end portion of the grip member 18 is pivotally attached via the shaft 4. As a result, the auxiliary grip 14 includes the support plate 16 and the grip member 1
8 is pivoted by a hinge portion 22 pivotally mounted to be in a hooked (inverted L-shaped) open state as shown in FIG. 1, or the support plate 16 and the grip member 18 are set as shown in FIG. It is configured so that it can be stored in a closed, one-letter shape so as to fit together.

The auxiliary grip 14 is provided with a simple lock mechanism (click mechanism or the like) so that the auxiliary grip 14 can be held and released in the use state and the stored state, respectively.

Further, the grip member 18 is provided with an unevenness so that the user can easily hold it with one hand and hold it easily.

The auxiliary grip 14 thus constructed is
When the mounting screw 20 is screwed into the tripod screw hole 12 and is integrally attached to the small vertical camera body 10 as shown in FIG. 4 to be in use, an auxiliary grip is provided on one side of the camera body 10. It is configured such that the outer side portions of the 14 grip members 18 are smoothly continuous (for example, configured to be flush).

With this configuration, when the user grips the grip member 18 of the auxiliary grip 14, as shown in FIG. 4, the index finger side of the hand holding the grip member 18 is on one side of the camera body 10. You will be able to touch the parts comfortably.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, one side portion of the camera body 10 of the small vertical camera body 10 which is touched by the index finger of the hand holding the grip member 18,
A release button (so-called shutter button) 26 which is an operation button is arranged at a position where the index finger of the hand holding the grip member 18 can easily operate.

A release button 2 which is an operation button installed on one side of the compact vertical camera body 10.
The arrangement position of 6 may be arranged at the upper portion in the figure of the small vertical camera body 10 as shown by the solid line in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, or as shown by the imaginary line in FIGS. 1 and 3. Alternatively, the small vertical camera body 10 may be arranged at the lower portion in the drawing. Although not shown, it may be installed at an intermediate portion on one side of the camera body 10.

When the release button 26 is arranged on the side of the small vertical camera body 10 as described above, the release button 26 is arranged on the top surface of the small vertical camera body 10 so as to be vertically long. As compared with the configuration described above, the length in the vertical direction (height direction) of the compact vertical camera body 10 can be made shorter. The release button 26 may be an operation button for various other functions.

The small vertical camera body 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 converts a video signal representing a subject image into digital image data and compresses the data, and then a semiconductor memory (built-in memory, for example, a memory). , A flash memory built into the camera, or a card-shaped memory that can be attached and detached) as a digital still camera.

The release button 26 installed on one side of the small vertical camera body 10 as described above.
Is configured as a so-called two-stroke type.

That is, the release button 26 has first and second switches (not shown), and when the release button 26 is pressed in the first step, the first switch is turned on. In response to this ON signal, preparation for photographing is made. Therefore, various operations such as a focusing operation are started, and when the release button 26 is further pressed to reach the second stage, the second switch is turned on, and the photographing operation is started in response to the ON signal. .

Further, on the front surface of the compact vertical type camera body 10, there is an image pickup lens device 28, a stroboscopic light emitting portion 30, and although not shown, a viewfinder, a distance measuring window and the like which cannot function if shielded from light. It is installed.

Those that cannot function when shielded from light, such as the imaging lens device 28 and the stroboscopic light emitting section 30, are shown in FIG. 4 for each hand holding the grip member 18 on the front surface of the small vertical camera body 10. Place it in a place where your fingers are difficult to place. As a result, when the user holds the gripping member 18 to hold the small vertical camera body 10, the imaging lens device 28, the strobe light emitting unit 30, and the like that cannot function when shielded from light are hidden by the hand. Make sure there is no such thing.

An image display section (monitor) 32 is provided on the back surface of the compact vertical camera body 10. The image display unit 32 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD).

Although not shown, the main power switch, the tele / wide setting button, the flash forced shooting setting button, the time setting button, the reproduction mode setting button, the compression rate setting button, etc. are provided on the rear surface of the compact vertical camera body 10. Arrange various operation buttons.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image display section 32 is arranged on the upper side of the figure in which it is difficult for the fingers of the hand holding the grip member 18 on the rear surface of the small vertical camera body 10 to be placed. To do. Thereby, when the user holds the grip member 18 to hold the small vertical camera body 10,
It is possible to prevent the image display unit 32 from being hidden by the hand.

Also, a main power switch (not shown), a tele / wide setting button, a flash forced shooting setting button, a time setting button, a reproduction mode setting button, a compression rate setting button, etc., which are arranged on the back surface of the compact vertical type camera body 10. The various operation buttons are arranged at positions where it is easy to operate, for example, a thumb or other finger of the hand holding the grip member 18 in the small vertical camera body 10 as necessary.

In the compact vertical camera body 10, a CCD (image pickup device) not shown is provided behind the image pickup lens device 28.
The subject image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD through the imaging lens device 28 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD and sequentially read out as an image signal.

This image signal is transmitted to the signal processing unit, subjected to signal processing such as gain adjustment, A / D conversion, luminance / color difference signal signal generation, and gamma correction, and then guided to the image display unit 32. Then, the captured image is displayed on the image display unit 32.

Further, the compact vertical type camera body 10 has an automatic exposure adjustment (AE) function and an auto focus (AF) function, so that the user can use the compact vertical type camera body 10.
Optimal exposure adjustment and focus adjustment are automatically performed only by pointing the image pickup lens device 28 of FIG.

At this time, the composition is determined while watching the image (preview moving image) displayed on the image display section 32,
When the release button 26 is pressed, the image on the image display unit 32 freezes (freezes), and the image signal read from the CCD when the release button 26 is pressed undergoes a predetermined process to undergo built-in memory, for example, a flash memory built in the camera. ,
Alternatively, it is recorded in a recording unit such as a removable card-shaped memory. When the recording process is completed, the freeze is released and the mode returns to the moving image or intermittent image display mode.

The small vertical camera body 10 has a reproduction mode and reads out image data recorded in the recording section and displays the image on the image display section 32, or a personal computer (not shown). Computer
Image data is received from an external device such as a computer via a communication function or an input / output terminal (not shown), and the image is displayed on the image display unit 32.
It can be displayed on the (monitor).

Next, the auxiliary grip 14 is attached to the small vertical camera body 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above.
The operation and usage of the one attached will be described.

The camera body 10 has a length (height) of 80 m.
It is composed of a small vertical type of m or less, and JIS is attached to the bottom.
A standard tripod screw hole 12 is arranged.

Such a small vertical camera body 10 is
When carrying this, it is convenient to use the auxiliary grip 14. Therefore, the auxiliary grip 14 is easily attached and used by screwing the mounting screw 20 of the auxiliary grip 14 into the tripod screw hole 12 of the small vertical camera body 10.

When carrying the small vertical camera body 10 to which the auxiliary grip 14 is attached, as shown in FIG. 4, the auxiliary grip 14 is opened and the user holds only the grip member 18 with one hand. You can carry it around.
Therefore, the user can handle the rod-shaped grip member 18 in an easy-to-hold state.

When the user carries the auxiliary grip 14 attached to the small vertical camera body 10 to which the auxiliary grip 14 is attached in his / her hand, the user may touch the part such as the image pickup lens device 28 with his / her hand. It can be protected from fingerprints and stains.

When the small vertical camera body 10 to which the auxiliary grip 14 is attached is stored or carried in a bag or pocket, the auxiliary grip 14 is removed from the small vertical camera body 10 and the auxiliary grip 14 is attached. 2 can be folded and made smaller as shown in FIG. 2, and can be carried in a compact state.

Further, when the small vertical camera body 10 with the auxiliary grip 14 attached is stored or carried in a bag or pocket, the auxiliary grip 14 is attached to the bottom of the small vertical camera body 10. It can be handled in a compact state by folding it into a small size as shown in FIG.

When taking a picture with the small vertical camera body 10 to which the auxiliary grip 14 is attached, the user (photographer) holds the grip member 18 with one hand (the right hand in FIG. 4),
For example, using the index finger or thumb, etc., release button 26
Take a picture by pressing. At the time of this photographing operation, the user can hold the gripping member 18 firmly and stably hold the small vertical camera body 10 so as not to make a slight movement, so that the camera shake can be prevented.

Further, since the grip member 18 is flush and continuous with the side surface of the small vertical camera body 10 on which the release button 26 is provided, the release button 26 can be held by the index finger or thumb of the hand holding the grip member 18. It can be easily extended to the side and operated in a comfortable position.

Further, since the user holds the small vertical camera body 10 by gripping the grip member 18, the strobe light emitting portion 30 of the small vertical camera body 10 is inadvertently covered with a finger. It is possible to effectively prevent inconveniences such as underexposure of a photographed image.

At the same time, since the image display section 32 is not covered with a hand, the user holds the grip member 18 of the small vertical camera body 10 with one hand and looks at the image display section 32 at the time of photographing. Since the operation of pressing the release button 26 can be performed at an appropriate timing while checking the entire composition, it is possible to take a picture quickly or easily enjoy the picture.

The small vertical camera body 10 can also be used as a single body without the auxiliary grip 14 attached.

The small vertical camera body 10 includes any type of camera, for example, a normal silver halide camera that photochemically exposes a film to fix an object image on the film, and a solid-state electronic image pickup device (for example, CCD). Still video, which is used for magnetically or electronically fixing (recording on a floppy disk or storing in memory) a video signal representing a subject image output from the solid-state electronic image sensor.
It may be a camera.

[0059]

The optical device of the present invention is, firstly, a compact vertical type optical device main body in which operation buttons are arranged on one side,
An auxiliary grip attached to the main body of an optical device is used in combination so that the grip member is arranged in a state where the gripping member is smoothly connected from the side where the operation buttons are arranged in the small vertical type optical device main body.

Thus, when the auxiliary grip is attached to the small vertical optical device body and used, the grip member of the auxiliary grip is grasped with one hand to ensure that the small vertical optical device body does not shake. Can hold Therefore, there is an effect that even a small vertical optical device can properly exhibit its function. In addition, while holding the grip member of the auxiliary grip with one hand, it is possible to use the fingers of the holding hand to operate the operation buttons located on one side of the small vertical optical device body. Thus, there is an effect that the operation of the operation button installed in the small vertical optical device body does not cause the optical device body to sway and cause inconvenience, and the usability of the optical device can be improved. Further, even if the small vertical type optical device body is a small vertical type, since the small vertical type optical device body can be held by holding the grip member, the small vertical type optical device can be held by the operation of holding the optical device body. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the function of a lens arranged in the main body or a device having an optical function from being impaired.

Secondly, the small vertical type optical equipment body is
It is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape of 0 mm or less.

As a result, even if the size of the compact vertical type optical device body is less than the index size which makes it difficult to handle the optical device body by hand according to the empirical rule, the usability can be improved. There is an effect.

Thirdly, the operation button is arranged on the side portion of the small vertical type optical apparatus body at a position where it can be operated by the finger of the hand holding the grip member.

As a result, since the operation button can be operated by the finger of the hand holding the grip member, the operation button can be operated easily, and a small vertical optical device can be operated when the operation button is operated. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the device body from moving and causing a functional failure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a small vertical camera body according to an embodiment of an optical apparatus of the present invention, an auxiliary grip attachable to the camera body, and a tripod.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where an auxiliary grip attachable to a small vertical camera body according to an embodiment of the optical apparatus of the present invention is taken out and put in a stored state.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a rear surface of the small vertical camera body according to the embodiment of the present invention taken out and provided with a monitor.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an auxiliary grip is attached to a small vertical camera body according to an embodiment of the optical apparatus of the present invention and used.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Small vertical camera body 12 Tripod screw hole 14 Auxiliary grip 16 Support plate 18 Grip member 22 Hinge part 26 Release button

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A compact vertical optical device body having operation buttons arranged on one side, and a grip member in a state in which the small vertical optical device body is smoothly connected to the side of the compact vertical optical device body where the operation buttons are arranged. An optical device characterized by a combination of an auxiliary grip attached to the main body of the optical device as arranged. 2. The compact vertical type optical device body has a length of 80 mm.
The optical device according to claim 1, wherein the optical device is formed in a vertically long rectangular shape having a size of mm or less. 3. The operation button is arranged on a side portion of the small-sized vertical type optical device body at a position where it can be operated by a finger of a hand holding the grip member.
Alternatively, the optical device according to claim 2.